13. Aldric

13

ALDRIC

T he dim glow of the torches casts flickering shadows across the training grounds, illuminating the dust swirling in the air. I face Elowen, her fiery red hair whipping about as she circles me like a predator. She moves with a grace that belies her compact frame, and I can't help but admire her focus.

"Come on, Aldric! Show me what you've got!"

Her voice crackles with energy. She lunges at me, swift and fierce. I block her strike, feeling the force of her blow reverberate through my arm. I can't deny it; she's improved remarkably.

"Is that all?" I challenge, my tone clipped as I push back against her relentless assault.

She grins—a wild, defiant smile—and shifts into a low crouch, feinting to my left before twisting into a spinning kick aimed at my side. I barely sidestep in time, feeling the wind of her foot rush past me.

"You'll have to do better than that," I say, stepping forward to close the distance between us. My heart pounds as our eyes lock, and for a moment, the world outside fades.

She sweeps low again, this time aiming for my legs. I jump over her outstretched arm and land behind her.

"You think you can outmaneuver me?" I tease.

Elowen spins around quickly and lands a glancing blow to my shoulder that sends a jolt through me.

"Maybe you should stop underestimating me."

Her fierce determination fuels something primal within me. We clash again, exchanging blows in quick succession. Each strike grows more intense; our breaths mingle in the space between us—heavy and charged with unspoken words.

I find myself slipping into a rhythm with her moves, almost dancing amidst the chaos of combat. She surprises me with an elbow aimed at my ribs; I twist away just enough to avoid it but feel her breath against my cheek as she brushes past.

Damn it! The air crackles with tension; every clash of our bodies sends sparks flying through the night sky above us. There's no denying it now—the way she pushes against me ignites something raw inside me.

Elowen steps back for just a heartbeat; we're both panting heavily now, adrenaline coursing through our veins like wildfire.

"You're not tired yet?" she breathes, eyes bright with challenge.

"Not even close," I reply, more gruff than intended as my body hums from exertion and desire alike.

The air thickens between us as we circle each other once more—the weight of what hangs unsaid pulling tighter around us like an unbreakable chain ready to snap.

Lunging forward, I press Elowen against the rough stone wall, the cool surface biting into her back. My hands grip her shoulders, holding her steady as I stare down into those fierce green eyes that flicker with defiance.

"Let your guard down for once," I demand, my voice low and urgent.

Her breath hitches slightly, but she doesn't back down. Instead, she fights against my hold, twisting and squirming. There's fire in her spirit, a relentless spark that pulls at something deep within me.

"Not a chance!" she retorts, her voice sharp as steel.

I tighten my grip, frustration boiling inside me. "You think this is a game? You can't keep pushing yourself like this without?—"

Before I can finish, she leans up and kisses me. It's sudden, electric—a surge of warmth that steals the words right from my mouth. My body responds instinctively; I'm momentarily stunned as her lips press against mine with fierce determination.

As if sensing my surprise, she runs a hand along the edge of my wing. The soft caress sends a shudder coursing through me, disrupting my thoughts and overwhelming my senses. I feel the world shift around us; the air thickens with something far more intense than mere training.

I'm taken aback, completely disarmed by her kiss. It's fierce and unyielding, filled with all the pent-up energy from our sparring session. For a moment, I forget everything—the training, the looming war, the weight of my duty.

Her lips mold against mine, igniting a fire that blazes through my veins. I should pull away, regain control, but instead, I feel myself slipping further into the heat of the moment. But damn it! I shouldn't want this—not here, not now.

Then she pulls back suddenly, breaking our connection, and the world rushes back in. She takes advantage of my momentary daze to twist free from my grip.

"Wait!" I grab her wrist just as she starts to dart away. The last thing I want is for this to end here.

She glances back at me, her eyes wide with surprise and defiance. "You can't just?—"

But before she can finish her thought, I pull her back toward me, feeling that spark reignite between us like a live wire. This time when our lips meet, it's deeper, more urgent—a clash of heat and intensity.

Her breath mingles with mine as I cup her face with one hand while the other wraps around her waist. There's a wildness in how she responds—her body arches into mine as if we're two magnets drawn together by an invisible force.

I push deeper into the kiss, exploring this new territory between us. My heart races; it feels both exhilarating and terrifying to lose myself in this moment with her. Each second stretches on endlessly as we navigate this uncharted territory of passion and longing.

The rough stone wall digs into my back as she presses closer—her warmth enveloping me like a shield against everything else that weighs heavy on my mind. She fits against me perfectly; it's almost maddening how right it feels.

I pick Elowen up without breaking the kiss, turning her to press her against the cool stone wall. She gasps slightly at the contact, but her arms wrap around my neck, pulling me closer. I kiss her deeper, exploring her mouth with a hunger I hadn't known I possessed. Her taste is intoxicating, like the first breath of fresh air after a storm.

My lips trail down her jaw, feeling the softness of her skin against the rough stubble of my beard. She shivers beneath my touch, her breath hitching as I reach the sensitive spot where her neck meets her shoulder.

I linger there, feeling her pulse quicken under my lips. Her scent envelops me, and it drives me crazy, igniting a primal urge deep within me.

She pulls back just enough to grab the hem of her shirt, tugging it up and over her head in one swift motion. Her eyes never leave mine, challenging and inviting all at once. I let my gaze wander, taking in the sight of her bare skin, the rise and fall of her chest with each ragged breath. She's a warrior, her body lean and muscled, marked with scars that tell a story of survival and strength.

"Fucking beautiful," I mutter as I take her in. "I just want to taste you."

Her eyes are hooded, lust swirling in them as she runs her hands up over my shoulders and through it. "Do it."

I lean in, pressing my lips to the hollow of her throat, feeling her heartbeat against my mouth. Her skin is warm and damp, tasting of salt and something sweeter. I trail kisses down her collarbone, my hands exploring the planes of her back, the curve of her waist. She arches into my touch, a soft moan escaping her lips.

The sound stokes the fire burning within me. I want more—more of her taste, more of her touch, more of everything. I can't get enough. My mouth moves lower, tracing the line of her sternum, the swell of her breasts. Her breath catches as I lick and nip at her skin, her fingers digging into my shoulders.

Every touch, every taste, drives me wild. I'm consumed by her, lost in the sensation of her body against mine. I want to explore every inch of her, to learn the secrets of her body, to taste her until she's writhing beneath me, crying out my name.

Elowen's breath hitches as she begs, "More, Aldric. Please."

Her voice is a mix of desperation and desire that sends a jolt through me. I strip her of her pants, feeling her hands reach for mine with the same urgency. The moment is intense, raw, and filled with a hunger that matches my own.

When we're both naked, I pick her up again, feeling her legs wrap around me tightly. She guides me inside her, and I thrust into her ruthlessly, driven by a primal need that's been building for too long.

"You feel fucking incredible," I growl against her ear, feeling her body respond to mine. She moans, her nails digging into my shoulders as she begs for more. Each thrust is a claim, a declaration of the chaos we're both feeling.

"Harder," she demands, her voice a gasp. I oblige, driving deeper, feeling her body tremble with each movement. The sound of our bodies colliding fills the air, a raw and primal rhythm that matches the beat of our hearts.

"You're mine," I say, my voice rough with need. "All fucking mine."

She moans in response, her body arching against mine as we move together, lost in the intensity of the moment. I can feel her tightening around me, her breaths coming faster, and I know she's close.

"Come for me," I demand, my voice a low growl. "Let me feel you."

She cries out, her body convulsing around mine as she finds her release. The sensation pushes me over the edge, and I climax with her, a deep, guttural sound escaping my lips. The moment is both liberating and confusing, a mix of emotions I've been trying to suppress for too long.

As we come down from the high, I hold her close, feeling her heartbeat against my chest. The reality of what just happened sinks in, and I'm left grappling with feelings I can't quite understand.

This encounter has forced me to confront emotions I've been trying to bury, emotions that are now bubbling to the surface, demanding to be acknowledged.

And I don't know what to do with them.